"Eh, what, sir?--bearable?" "Yes. Fellow wants the prospect of some sugar or jam afterwards, to take such a sickly dose as she promised to be." "Oh, nonsense, nonsense. But--er--mind what you're about; nothing rash." "I've got my head screwed on right, guv'nor. I can manage a girl. I say, though, she has quite taken to old Garstang; he has got such a way with him. He can be wonderfully jolly when he likes." "Yes, wonderfully," said Wilton, with a groan. "You've no idea how he can go when we're out. He's full of capital stories, and as larky when we're fishing or shooting as if he were only as old as I am. Ever seen him jump?" "What, run and jump?" "Yah! When he is mounted. He rides splendidly. Took Brown Charley over hedge after hedge yesterday like a bird. Understands a horse as well as I do. I like him, and we get on swimming together; but we don't want him here now." "Well, well, it won't be long before he has gone," said Wilton, hurrying some papers away over which he and Garstang had been busy all the morning. "Where are you going this afternoon?" "Ride. He wants to see the Cross Green farm." "Eh?" said Wilton, looking up sharply, and with an anxious gleam in his eyes. "Did he say that?" "Yes; and we're off directly after lunch. I say, though, what was that letter about?" "What letter?" said Wilton, starting nervously. "Oh, I say; don't jump as if you thought the bailiffs were coming in. I meant the one brought over from the station half-an-hour ago." "I had no letter." "Sam said one came. It must have been for old Garstang then." "Am I intruding? Business?" said Garstang, suddenly appearing at the door. "Eh? No; come in. We were only talking about ordinary things. Sit down. Lunch must be nearly due. Want to speak to me?" All this in a nervous, hurried way. "Never mind lunch," said Garstang quietly; "I want you to oblige me, my dear James, by ordering that brown horse round." Wilton uttered a sigh of relief, and his face, which had been turning ghastly, slowly resumed its natural tint. "But I understood from Claud here that you were both going out after lunch." "I've had a particular letter sent down in a packet, and I must ride over and telegraph back at some length." "We'll send Tom over for you," said Claud; and then he felt as if he would have given anything to withdraw the words. "It's very good of you," said Garstang, smiling pleasantly, "but the business is important. Oblige me by ordering the horse at once." "Oh, I'll run round. Have Brown Charley here in five minutes." "Thank you, Claud; and perhaps you'll give me a glass of sherry and a biscuit, James?" "Yes, yes, of course; but you'll be back to dinner?" "Of course. We must finish what we are about." "Yes, we must finish what we are about," said Wilton, with a dismal look; and he rang the bell, just as Claud passed the window on the way to the stables.